Sidor

onsdag, november 04, 2009

More news from Bethlehem

An Update on the return of Berlanty Azzam from Gaza to Bethlehem University

Dear Friends,

Below is an update on the case of Berlanty, the date of the nextIsraelicourt hearing, and a request for another letter from you to helpBerlanty.

1. Thank you for your continued support for the Bethlehem UniversitystudentBerlanty Azzam to be returned to the University campus by theIsraelimilitary who took her blindfolded and handcuffed to Gaza on Wednesday,28October 2009.

2. The Israeli High Court of Justice will hold another court hearingonBerlanty’s case next Thursday, 12 November 2009 at 9:00am to have theIsraelimilitary to further explain why Berlanty was removed from Bethlehemto Gaza. Wewill keep you informed of the outcome ... but for now, we needto as for yet moreinvolvement from you if we might.

3. On Tuesday, 3 November 2009 the lawyers at Gisha were informed thatthestate of Israel claims that Berlanty has no right to be atBethlehemUniversity – to be in the West Bank. However, Berlanty did not need apermitto remain in the West Bank after entering, and no such kind ofpermitexisted in 2005, so she couldn't have requested one. Berlanty onlyneededthe Israeli permit to cross through Israel from Gaza to the West Bank,which she received.

4. In their response to the court, the Israeli state admits that a“mistake”was made in removing Berlanty on the night of Wednesday, 28 October2009.Orders were given by the legal adviser's office not to do it. It was doneanyway and still, they refuse to return her to her studies atBethlehemUniversity.

What did the judge do in response to this November 3rd report from thestate of Israel?

1. The judge ordered another hearing as soon as possible (Thursday,12November 2009 at 9:00am) for the state of Israel to further explain whyBerlanty was removed from Bethlehem to Gaza while she, and her lawyers, weretoldwhen she was first detained by the Israeli military that this would no thappen.

2. Your involvement is already making a difference! Can we ask for you togoone step further? Many of you – and your friends through you – have contactedyour elected andappointed government officials. We have heard from citizens inthe UnitedStates, United Kingdom, Ireland, Israel, Australia, New Zealand,Denmark,France, Italy, Spain who have done so. This is making a real difference–some of these governments and media in these countries have contacted usandBerlanty’s lawyers.

This is part of the reason why, along with the internationalmediaattention, the Israeli High Court of Justice is continuing to have theIsraeli military to further explain why Berlanty was removed from Bethlehem toGaza.

3. In the meantime, Berlanty is still in Gaza where she wasbroughtblindfolded and handcuffed on Wednesday 28 October (this is day #8). Herfather, who works for the YMCA in Gaza , and her mother, who works for the UNRelief and Works Agency, are with Berlanty. She and they and all of us want forher to return to Bethlehem to complete her bachelors degree inthese last fewweeks of the academic semester.

What can you do? PLEASE consider sending a specific letter to• To your local newspapers (letters to the editor, perhaps)• To you elected officials – again –• To the United States Consulate in Jerusalem (UsConGenJerusalem@state.gov)

[...]

More updates will be forthcoming as the situation develops. Thanks for allthat you are doing to help return Berlanty to Bethlehem – andalso for what youare doing to help to get our 12 first year students out of Gaza and to Bethlehemfor the first time. Click herefor more background on this aspect of the quest for education and freedomofmovement in Palestine. Today, 3 November 2009, is day #8 of Berlanty’s absencefrom Bethlehem University due to the Israeli military removal of Berlanty toGaza.